Study: 20 years of conflict has cost Middle East $12 trillion

Saturday, 24 January 2009 01:54

The report looks at conflict in the entire region from Iran to Egypt, including between Israel and its Arab neighbors, the war in Iraq, tension between Iran and Israel and al Qaeda's activities in the Middle East. It also includes rivalry between the Palestinian organizations Hamas and Fatah.

Much of the discussion at Friday's presentation of the report centered on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the aftermath of Israel's 22-day assault on the Gaza Strip that killed 1,300 Palestinians, wounded 5,000 and left thousands homeless. Israel lost 10 soldiers and three civilians.